DAY1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Pick up self drive rental vehicle on arrival at Auckland International Airport. Transfer by self drive rental car to your hotel in the “City of Sails”. The rest of the day is at leisure

DAY2: AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA

Depart Auckland this morning and travel south along the motorway to the Bombay Hills and descend into the lush, green, dairy farming region of the Waikato Province, following the Waikato River for part of the way and on to the famous Waitomo Caves. Take a guided tour through the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.

View staligtites, staligmites and thousands of tiny glow worms. Continue on to Rotorua via the prosperous town of Cambridge, well known for the many thoroughbred horse studs in the area which have produced some of the top race horses.

Climb over the bushclad Mamaku Ranges to arrive at the "Thermal Spa City" of Rotorua in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or to go for an Optional soak in the thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour costs.)

DAY 3: ROTORUA

Enjoy a self drive sightseeing tour of some of the highlights of Rotorua including a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and geysers, and to learn about Maori culture. Also visit the Paradise Valley Springs to see New Zealand trout, birds and wildlife before continuing on to the Agrodome where you will watch a New Zealand Farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and learn about the New Zealand sheep farming industry and the different breeds of sheep.

The afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities or exploring on your own. You may like to visit the Polynesian Pools and relax in the thermal waters which are sourced from the earth directly below. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in tour cost.) This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Concert and Hangi Dinner.

DAY 4: ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH

Check out of your hotel and drive to Rotorua Airport and drop off your rental car before boarding your flight to Christchurch. Fly to Christchurch. (Flight not included in tour costs.) Pick up your self drive rental car on arrival at Christchurch Airport and drive to your hotel. Check in to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore the "Garden City" on your own.

DAY 5: CHRISTCHURCH / GREYMOUTH / FRANZ JOSEF

Check out of your hotel and depart Christchurch and drive across the Canterbury Plains to the foothills of the Southern Alps and across the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth. Time for a break for lunch in Greymouth and then continue south to Franz Josef Glacier.

Pass through the small settlements of Hokitika, Ross and Hari Hari and several lakes surrounded by native bush en route. Arrive at Franz Josef Glacier and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps take a walk to the Westland National Park Visitor Centre to learn more about the glaciers which dominate this part of New Zealand, or drive up to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier and take a walk.

DAY 6: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

This morning you will be taken on a ½ day guided glacier walk onto the ice of the Franz Josef Glacier accompanied by experienced Alpine Guides who will explain the local flora and fauna as well as the geology of the glacier. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or perhaps take an Optional scenic helicopter flight over the glacier. (Please note that Optional activities are not included in the tour cost.)

DAY 7: FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER / QUEENSTOWN

Check out of your hotel and drive to Queenstown this morning traveling through the small settlements of Fox Glacier and Haast at the mouth of the Haast River before following the river upstream to the “Gates of Haast” and over the scenic bush clad Haast Pass, the southern most route across the main divide.

Travel past the settlement of Makarora opposite the Mount Aspiring National Park, and along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before passing through the fruitgrowing area around Cromwell and then on through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to arrive at picturesque Queenstown set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax.

DAY 8: QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN

Full day excursion to Milford Sound. Drive alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the towering Remarkables mountain range and across the flat Southland Plains to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park, now proclaimed a World Heritage Park.

Pass through Beech forests, glaciated valleys, the Homer Tunnel with its 1:10 gradient, and stunning scenery to reach the majestic Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord which is dominated by Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. View waterfalls, dolphins, seals and maybe some penguins as well as stunning scenery. Return to Queenstown in the early evening.

DAY 9: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Your arrangements conclude today with the drop off of your rental car at Christchurch International Airport prior to boarding your departure flight. Bon Voyage! We trust that you have enjoyed your New Zealand holiday with Adventure Pacific.